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Goaltender Carter Hutton shares a story with kids at Ralston Elementary School

05/20/2013 3:16 PM -

IceHogs contribute $117,794 to local charities

Rockford, Ill. – With their 14th season of professional hockey in the books, the Rockford IceHogs have always prided themselves on being active in the Rockford community and this season was no different.

The American Hockey League club made over 150 community appearances and donated more than $115,000 to charity over the course of the 2012-13 campaign.

Through the IceHogs Charitable Foundation, the IceHogs and their generous fan base helped raise a total of $117,794 for local charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Boys and Girl Scouts of America, Rockford area Boys and Girls Clubs, Jr. IceHogs and more.

The team’s most significant contribution was through the annual jersey auction game (April 7) in which $41,205 was raised, the highest total for the auction over the last five seasons. In 14 seasons, the annual jersey auction event has brought in over $685,000 for local charities. For the fourth consecutive season, the Hogs also hosted a Pink in the Rink Night bringing in $22,875, with portions of the proceeds split between the American Cancer Society, Mary Kay Foundation and the IceHogs Charitable Foundation.

The organization also partnered with BMO Harris Bank on Sock Monkey Night (March 2) to host a sock drive, collecting more than 5,000 pairs of socks to benefit homeless children in Rockford through Project Undershare.

Now in its third season, the IceHogs adopt-a-school program proved to be a hit with students at West Middle School. Throughout the year, IceHogs players, coaches and Hammy made visits to the school to speak at assemblies, participate in honor roll parties, and visit with students to talk about the importance of education. In February, principal honor students at West were rewarded for their hard work in the classroom with a unique experience at the BMO Harris Bank Center where the kids got a tour of the arena and a chance to skate with the team following practice.

The team also made nearly 1,500 ticket donations to various fundraising efforts and charities throughout the region in 2012-13. Back on Dec. 8, fans tossed 5,526 stuffed animals onto the ice during Teddy Bear Toss Night that the team collected and delivered to children at local hospitals and charities.

For more information on the where Hammy and the IceHogs will be in the community this summer, check out the IceHogs Community Calendar.